What can I do to prepare for my move?
Preparing to move is a huge undertaking, but if done in an organized and strategic manner, it can go smoothly. More than likely, you have already packed up some of your personal items to get ready for listing. At this point, you need to start packing the rest and be all complete by the final walk-thru, allowing time for cleanup.
The quickest and easiest way to prepare for your move is to hire a moving company. Many will show up a few days before closing and pack everything for you, label it and move it or store it until your are ready. This is convenient but also more costly. Another option is to pack yourself and have a POD delivered to your driveway to move at your leisure or pack up your items yourself and have movers come and pack the truck and move you. You can also rent a moving truck and move yourself. You will decide based on your particular situation.
Packing:
If you choose to pack yourself, here are some tips to keep you on track:
To get prepared for packing, you will need a variety of boxes of varying sizes and shapes, packing tape, markers, padding, newspaper and blankets. You can go to a local moving company or U-haul and purchase boxes, order them online or you can pick up at Home Depot or Lowes. Purchase a packing tape dispenser and labels. You can also purchase colored packing tape pre-printed with the individual rooms on it.
One of the best strategies is to start with items you are not using on a daily basis and could do without for a few weeks. Make a list of everything you are putting in the box and attach a label to the box. This will make things easy to find and quick to locate. Take the time to go through everything and weed out those items you no longer need. This is a great time for “spring cleaning”. Keep some boxes aside to donate or give away.
Make a list of essential items you will need immediately such as toiletries, a few changes of clothes, important documents, cooking supplies, toys, pet care products and anything else you may use on a daily basis that you cannot go without. Keep these items in a specially marked box and keep them close to you.
Utilities:
You will need to call the utility companies at your new home to arrange service as well as set up a disconnect date for your current home. The most critical are electricity and gas. You can arrange phone, cable and garbage service when you arrive. Be sure to disconnect any alarm, lawn, termite or newspaper services.
Mail:
You can go online or pick up a change of address form for the post office. Be sure to leave your name and forwarding address for the new owners to that they can contact you if any mail slips through the cracks. Have some new labels made up with your new address so that you can start notifying those you do business with. You can change your address online with most of your creditors.
Medical Records:
Contact your doctor, dentist and vet to have any medical records transferred to your new location or get a copy to take with you. Keep all important paperwork in a file for easy access. You will also need school records if you have children.
Moving out of town or state:
If you are moving a long distance, don’t forget to check on any dry cleaning, photos, repair items or anything else you may have outside the home. If you have safe deposit box, you will need to empty it and transfer to a new bank. You may also have to close out your bank accounts.
Best Tips:
Have a Checklist or two
Do a little at a time
Don’t Stress! Have a great move and enjoy your new home.
Other titles in the seller series:
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Sonya Leonard –Keller Williams Realty – Mooresville NC. The Home Style Team provides free access to individualized home searches for all homes in Statesville, Mooresville, Troutman, Lake Norman and the entire Lake Norman Area. Explore buyer and seller reports, community resources, new home communities, and be sure to sign up for instant alerts to help find your dream home. Let Sonya help you INVEST in Real Estate and your Future! (704) 450-0588.
You are almost there! Most of the hard part is behind you now. Once the buyer has completed inspections and you have worked out and completed all the requested repairs, you are headed into the home stretch. At this point, you are waiting on confirmation that the buyers financing is complete, the final loan package has been sent to the closing attorney and you have been given a clear to close. You should receive a copy of the preliminary HUD-1 for review at least a day before closing. Don’t be surprised, however, if you don’t see one until you are sitting at the closing table.
HUD-1 or Closing DIsclosure:
This document is what you will sign at closing that will have all the numbers associated with the transaction in one place. You should get this document just before the closing from your Realtor and you should go over every line carefully to make sure all information is correct and that you understand what each line represents. Your attorney will go over this in detail at the closing, but it is a good idea to head off any problems in advance so that you don’t have changes at the closing table. If you have to make changes on the day of closing, it could delay the recording of the deed and your ability to get your funds.
Here is what you want to look for:
- Make sure your name and the property address is correct.
- Review the seller side to make sure the Purchase price is correct. The seller side is the right side of the document. It is a good idea to start on page 2 where the breakdown of all the seller paid closing costs are listed. You will see the commission paid to the Real Estate Firm, any attorney fees, recording costs and doc stamp fees. In NC, the seller must pay $2.00 per $1000 of the purchase price.
- Review any additional costs such as a survey, contractor costs for repairs not paid, inspections done by the seller or anything else the seller needs to pay out of the proceeds.
- Back on page one, make sure the purchase price is correct. Review any adjustments made for pro-rated taxes and HOA fees. Seller fees from page 2 will also show up here to be deducted. This page will show what the proceeds from the sale will be or if you need to come to the table with any funds. There will be a few other sheets attached that will give more detail on where the numbers come from.
At closing, you will sign 5-6 copies for all parties. This form needs to be correct and the lender for the buyer needs to approve it before funds can be released and the deed can be recorded.
DAY OF CLOSE:
All parties to the transaction must be present to sign unless other arrangements have already been made. If you are unable to be at the closing, you will need to make arrangements to have the documents sent to you in advance so that you can sign and have notarized and get back to the attorney in time for the close. You can also arrange to have a power of attorney to allow someone else to sign for you. In many states, even if the spouse is not on the deed, they will still need to sign to sell the home. Please check with the closing attorney if you are unsure. You will need to bring your ID and any funds (if necessary).
The attorney will normally sit down with all parties, get everyone’s ID’s and then review the HUD-1 Settlement Statement with everyone. If everything is correct, all parties will sign several copies and an original will be given to the seller, the buyer, the attorney and the agents. There will be a few more documents you will need to sign along with the deed and then you are done! You will not need to stay while the buyer signs their documents.
Please bring along any keys, remote controls and anything else the buyer will need for the home. You may want to go over a few things with the new buyers before you leave such as alarm codes, important numbers or anything else that would be helpful. This can be a very emotional time for many sellers and they want to be sure they have covered everything and know that their home is in good hands.
AFTER THE CLOSE:
After the buyers has signed all the loan documents, the attorney will fax or email the lender the final signed package for review. They will then authorize the deed to be recorded and funds to be disbursed. Normally, any funds you are expecting can be picked up the same day if the closing is done early enough. In some cases, the recording of the deed can be delayed along with your funds The attorney will hold the keys until the deed has been recorded. Have patience and all things will get worked out in a timely manner.
That’s it! You are done and on to your next home.
Other titles in the seller series:
Article #1: Seller Questions Answered – A preview to Listing your home for Sale
Article #2: What do I need to do to prepare my home for sale?
Article #3: Why do I need an Real Estate agent and how do I select one?
Article #4: I have signed the paperwork, now what? -What to expect during the listing period
Article #5: A buyer wants to see my home -How can I maximize showing opportunities?
Article #6: I have received an offer – now what?
Article #7: My home is under contract – What are the next steps?
Article #8: What can I do to prepare for my move?
Article #9: What can I expect at the closing table?
Article #10: What happens after my home is SOLD?
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Sonya Leonard –Keller Williams Realty – Mooresville NC. Sonya Leonard Homes provides free access to individualized home searches for all homes in Statesville, Mooresville, Troutman, Lake Norman and the entire Lake Norman Area. Explore buyer and seller reports, community resources, new home communities, and be sure to sign up for instant alerts to help find your dream home. Let Sonya help you INVEST in Real Estate and your Future! (704) 450-0588.
